Collins Report

By Kevin “Coach” Collins

Yesterday was the 45th anniversary of Ronald Reagan’s “A time for Choosing” speech made in support of Barry Goldwater. The power of the speech launched Mr. Reagan’s political career. The wisdom and power of his words have stood the time of time. Here are some selected quotes.

Reagan warned that trading freedom for security was a downward course saying, “You and I are told increasingly we have to choose between a left orright. Well I’d like to suggest there is no such thing as a left or right. There’s only an up or down: man’s old — old-aged dream, the ultimate in individual freedom consistent with law and order, or down to the ant heap of totalitarianism. And regardless of their sincerity, their humanitarian motives, those who would trade our freedom for security have embarked on this downward course.”

“We’re at war with the most dangerous enemy that has ever faced mankind in his long climb from the swamp to the stars, and it’s been said if we lose that war, and in so doing lose this way of freedom of ours, history will record with the greatest astonishment that those who had the most to lose did the least to prevent its happening. Well I think it’s time we ask ourselves if we still know the freedoms that were intended for us by the Founding Fathers.”

“And this idea that government is beholden to the people, that it has no other source of power except the sovereign people, is still the newest and the most unique idea in all the long history of man’s relation to man.”

“Well, the trouble with our liberal friends is not that they’re ignorant; it’s just that they know so much that isn’t so.”

You and I have a rendezvous with destiny.”

Reagan specifically warned of the dangers of taxes that were too high reminding us that bloated governments engorged with our tax money and deficit spending destroys prosperity.

To those who do not want to fight for our freedoms because they wanted “peace” he asked, “Do they mean peace, or do they mean we just want to be left in peace? There can be no real peace while one American is dying some place in the world for the rest of us.”

Using this example he reminded us of the precious and fragile nature of our freedoms: Mr. Reagan said, “Not too long ago two friends of mine were talking to a Cuban refugee, a businessman who had escaped from Castro, and in the midst of his story one of my friends turned to the other and said, “We don’t know how lucky we are.” And the Cuban stopped and said, “How lucky you are! I had someplace to escape to.” In that sentence he told us the entire story. If we lose freedom here, there is no place to escape to.”

Remember these wise and inspirational words. Keep them near to your heart and never pass up a chance to do something big or small to fight those who would enslave us and our country.

If you plan on watching and hoping for the best, then you had better start planning to be a slave.

This day in history October 28

1886 In New York Harbor President Grover Cleveland dedicated the Statue of Liberty

Comments on this or any other Collins Report essay can be sent to kcoachc “at” gmail.com